Category: inspiration

“I’M NOT DOING THIS ANYMORE! My head hurts, I keep losing my place, and I can’t remember what I read!”

These words assailed me as I walked into our fifteen year-old’s room. Her text book landed on the floor in front of her, just before her words landed on me. As a parent, these are not the words you want to hear from you son or daughter. Needless to say I was dismayed.

Aside from adolescence, what had changed this person from an enthusiastic student who claimed reading as her favorite subject, to the frustrated student sitting dejectedly on the floor of her room? I was an educator, a specialist no less! I was supposed to know what to do!

I simply never tire of watching students strengthen their learning abilities through using the SOI modules (learning booklets) in the area of Cognition, Memory, Evaluation, Problem-solving, and Creativity. I remember leaving meetings focused on our daughter’s challenges in school feeling discouraged and frightened. We were told she had low comprehension.

A parent does not stop by the bookstore and buy a book on comprehension that would solve the problems being experienced in the classroom. Fortunately, SOI came into our lives when our daughter was nine and SOI knew how to teach comprehension! In her case, we learned it was visual comprehension that was the roadblock in learning how to read as revealed when she took the SOI Assessment of Learning Ability.

When I became trained in SOI and opened my own learning center in 1989, I became fascinated with the SOI process of assessment and development of individual learning abilities. In my first year of serving students, my confidence increased dramatically. I was not tutoring students in curriculum; I was using the SOI materials to develop and strengthen the ability to learn curriculum.Continue reading “To Teach and To Learn: A Separate Experience”→

In 1988, I experienced SOI for the first time when my now-grown son struggled in the third grade. He was given the SOI test and completed sessions throughout the year at Brainworks (formerly of Carrollton). After I retired from teaching school in 2002, I became the math coordinator at Brainworks and learned a lot more about the SOI tests and modules.

In the spring of 2008, one of my adult clients at Brainworks was James O’Connell. James had finished a tour of duty in the army and was back home trying to figure out what to do with his life. James had attended Carrollton schools and struggled because of his ADHD. He was apprehensive about going to college because of his past school experiences and struggles with math/algebra.

When I first began working with James, I had no idea what a big part of my life James and his mother, Patti O’Connell, would become! I still hear from Patti from time to time whenever James reaches a milestone in life. A couple years ago, she emailed me to remind me of where James began when I first met him.

James’ initial SOI test was on October 31, 2007. At that time, we estimated that James would need approximately 73 hours of SOI cognitive skills training and 40 hours of work with me on math and algebra. That amounted to about 50-60 two-hour sessions.

I’ve had the pleasure of being the SOI/IPP teacher at Southcrest Christian School in Lubbock, Texas for four years. In those four years I’ve learned more about people and education than I ever did in college, and I know there is so much more to learn!

I think the thing that gives me the most pleasure in working my students is the self-confidence and happiness I see develop in them. I have so many success stories to share, but I will just give some snapshots of a few of them.

One particular student began to ride his scooter and bike all over the block after working in the IPP lab; he couldn’t do that before! Another student went to Disneyland with his family and was so much more confident; he skipped and danced with the Chipmunks in front of a room full of people. His mom sent me a picture of this proud moment!

Energia Wellbeing, located in India, was founded in 2011 as a private limited company to provide services, which were based on the scientific applications of preventive, developmental, and positive psychology. Within three years of its opening, the first branch office in the city of Pune was started.

PREPARING STUDENTS FOR A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE

Energia firmly believes in your ability to achieve success in your chosen field, which can lead to self-actualization. We give you insight to broaden your horizons and bring about a self-transformation. Our programs help create insights across academic, behavioral, emotional and social aspects of your life.

The future/career of an individual is defined by their unique strengths. We can help by identifying and bridging the gap for any weak abilities. Research proves that this method gives more solution-based productivity and enhanced performance to the individual.Continue reading “Innovations in the Human Learning Process”→

I can vividly remember the moments when someone spoke directly to me with kind words that helped define how I thought about myself.

One such memory was as far back as 11 years old. I perhaps did not interpret the words to mean that I was being viewed as trustworthy and dependable, but all these years later I recognize the gift of my teacher’s words. Being a very shy child, when Mr. Schneider asked for my help and shared his respect for me, I began to see myself differently. Other moments of hearing sincere words spoken to me have continued to inspire me and remain memories stored that are mine to recall as I reflect on my years lived.

Through using the SOI (Structure of Intellect) Assessments and Development Programs, I have always enjoyed sharing words with a struggling student that help define strengths that had gone undetected. Even sharing that there are areas that need strengthening can inspire a new understanding of the challenges being faced. It simply is the power of taking the time to look another in the eyes and bring hope and respect that lights the spark necessary to keep trying.

Challenge yourself to look for moments to help redefine how someone feels about themselves. If you are seeking help for yourself or another because of learning challenges, for a career change, or enhancement of abilities already developed, reach out to SOI Systems for more information. There are answers, words, inspiration, and opportunities to improve learning potential.

We do have time in the day to use words that help guide others to greater confidence and purpose. It may be your name and face another reflects on with appreciation.

Happy 2016! As I was contemplating our success and challenges over the past year, while looking forward to the new year, I realized there is a key value in using the SOI philosophy: perseverance. Perseverance is defined as “steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.” I love the synonyms for perseverance: tenacity, determination, staying power, indefatigability, purposefulness; patience, endurance, application, diligence, dedication, commitment, doggedness, tirelessness, stamina; intransigence, obstinacy; stick-to-it-iveness.”

When working with our children and their parents, the process of overcoming learning barriers through training is not easy or quick; it is a not sprint but a marathon. At our school, we believe that building character is an important way to help kids learn the value of perseverance. We use the program “ We Choose Virtues” and recite them and reinforce it in our content. When reciting the virtue of perseverance, we say together, “We are perseverant. We are not going to Continue reading “I Can Do It When It’s Tough”→